Olympique Lyonnais’s request for toulouse match postponement rejected by LFP

Olympique Lyonnais set to begin their Ligue 1 campaign in Toulouse on August 22nd, sought a deferral for this fixture, scheduled just days after a potential UEFA Champions League playoff. The Ligue de Football Professionnel has declined this adjustment.

The initial skirmishes between the LFP and Olympique Lyonnais have commenced even before the season’s official kick-off. With an encounter against Toulouse FC slated for August 22nd as part of the Ligue 1 opening weekend, the Rhône-based club’s management formally petitioned the professional football league to push back the match. The rationale behind this request was that the fixture could potentially fall between the two legs of a crucial Champions League playoff, should OL successfully navigate the preceding qualification round.

This presented a legitimate concern for the Lyon board, prompting them to formally communicate their request to the LFP via official correspondence.

To bolster their case, Olympique Lyonnais invoked the “PSG precedent,” emphasizing the broader interests of French football. Last season, the Parisian club benefited from several match postponements to ensure optimal preparation for their European commitments.

Potential champions league playoff for OL sandwiched between league fixtures

Consequently, and citing principles of fairness, the seven-time French champions anticipated a favorable response from the League.

However, contrary to expectations, the Administrative Council of the Ligue de Football Professionnel has reportedly dismissed this possibility. The governing body is unwilling to disrupt the Ligue 1 television broadcast schedule right from the inaugural matchday.

This represents an early calendar challenge for Paulo Fonseca‘s squad. The Gones will face a demanding schedule at the end of August as they strive to secure a coveted spot in the UEFA Champions League.